The area now known as Missaukee County, Michigan was originally
a southern appendage of Grand Traverse County. In 1869 the whole
of what is now Missaukee County was organized by the State Legislature
into one township called Reeder.
In 1871 the county of Missaukee was officially organized with five
townships: Caldwell, Clam Union, Pioneer, Reeder and Riverside.
Until 1873 the county seat was located at Falmouth. In June of 1873,
an election was held that determined Lake City, then called Reeder,
as the county seat, which it remains to this day.
Missaukee County is probably best known for being Michigan’s
headquarters for Christmas trees. Just pick almost any road,
and you’re bound to see rows and rows of them.
Missaukee County was named after an Ottawa Indian Chief who was
known as "Neasaukee", which means "Large mouth of river". After
the Civil War loggers and Union veterans settled here. In 1895
most of Missaukee County was destroyed by forest fires. Today the
county is a year-round vacation area. The main industry is dairy farming.
